The Kyoto International Manga Museum was established as a joint project of Kyoto City and Kyoto Seika University. The purpose of the museum is to undertake collection, preservation and exhibition of manga, and to conduct research studies and programs related to manga culture. It is an unparalleled cultural facility that performs concurrent functions which are broadly divided into the functions of museum, library, and research facility, in addition to holding a variety of manga related exhibitions, events, and workshops, etc.
The museum is housed in the Showa era building of a former elementary school, preserving its historical appearance.
The museum's collection consists of approximately 300,000 items incorporating historical materials such as caricatures from the Mid-Edo period, magazines from the Meiji period, and post-war rental books, as well as current popular works and publications from abroad.
50,000 volumes of manga from the collection are shelved throughout the museum on the Wall of Manga, bookshelves spanning roughly 200 meters in total, readily available for visitors to read onsite.
There is also a shop and café within the museum grounds, and on fair weather days visitors can read manga while basking on the lawn.

What kind of exhibitions are there?

There are gallery spaces on the second floor of the museum.
In the main gallery is the permanent exhibition, which explores the question of 'What is Manga?' so as gain a sense of understanding of manga from various field, including history and society, to industry, and so on.
In addition, the adjacent gallery spaces periodically exhibit themed exhibitions that showcase original artwork from manga and anime, as well as manga related materials.
For information on other permanent exhibits in the museum please visit the Permanent Exhibitions and SEE.

What kind of manga can visitors read?

From among the museum's collection of 300,000 items, there are 50,000 manga volumes (spanning from the 1970s to around 2005) available to read throughout the grounds.
Shonen (boys') manga are on the 1st floor, shojo (girls') manga are on the 2nd, and seinen (men's) manga are on the 3rd floor. All manga are shelved by author's name in the order of the Japanese syllabary.
Please read the READ for more information.

What kind of events are there?

Many manga and anime related events are held in the museum. Examples of the wide-range of events include talk shows and live drawing events featuring manga artists; weekend events everyone can readily participate in to enjoy manga in more ways than reading such as the MM Workshops and COSJOY cosplay events; research gatherings and lectures that consider manga from an academic perspective; and so on.
Each day there are regularly scheduled performances of Kamishibai (picture story shows), a type of street entertainment from a nostalgic former time. This event is popular with young and old alike, and people from all countries.
Please read the LISTEN for more information.

Yes. Re-entry is permitted throughout the day. Please present your admission ticket to reception upon re-entering the building.

When paying admission, do I need to present my student card?

No. Presentation is not required.

Are elementary school children allowed to visit the museum on their own?

In the interests of safety, we ask that elementary school children not visit on their own. Please ensure they are accompanied by someone of at least junior high school age or above.

Do groups need to book in advance?

We ask that groups please book in advance so that we can ensure smooth guidance at the time of admission.

Use of museum facilities

What can I do at the Manga Museum?

You can read the manga shelved throughout the building (about 50,000 volumes), and the archive materials stored in the basement which can be accessed through the Research Reference Room.
In addition, you can access to the translated manga books in multiple languages at the Manga Expo Corner on the 1st floor.
You can also view the permanent exhibition and our temporary exhibitions held throughout the year.
Other activities include viewing Kamishibai (picture story show) performances and MM Workshop, and taking part in the regular weekend and public holiday activity corners, Portrait Corner, and Manga Studio.

How long does it take to visit the museum?

While it does depend on the individual, it is generally possible to complete a tour of the museum in roughly 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Visitors who wish to view the exhibitions, read manga, or participate in each activity corner should schedule plenty of time to view the museum at their leisure.

Is there a luggage check service?

There are coin-operated lockers at the entrance (requiring a 100yen coin, which is returned after use). Please be aware that there is a limit to the space and kinds of things that can be stored.

Can even small children enjoy themselves?

There is a children's library catering specifically to the enjoyment of small children and their guardians which has roughly 3,000 picture books.Additionally, on fair weather days children can play outside on the lawn.
We also invite families to enjoy having their portrait drawn as a souvenir of their visit, and see a Kamishibai (picture story show) performance.

Is there a diaper change / nursing room?

There is a diaper change station in the 1st floor multi-purpose toilet. While there is no dedicated nursing room, the museum does provide space for nursing, so please contact a staff member.

Can announcements for lost children be made?

No. The museum does not make announcements for lost children.

Is photography permitted?

In order to protect creators' copyright photography of the books and exhibition materials is not permitted.
There are some locations where you can take photos, such as the in front of the Phoenix statue. Please ask a member of staff for details.

Is it ok to eat and drink inside the museum?

Please refrain from eating and drinking within the museum building. You can eat and drink at the lawn however take your own garbage with you. We have museum's café facilities as well.

Does the café accept reservations?

The café does not take reservations for individuals, but does accept reservations for groups of up to 40. Please make your reservation by through the contact form.

Can shop items be purchased by mail order?

Mail order purchases are not normally available. Please make your purchase when visiting the museum.

About the collection

Can visitors take the manga to read in another location, such as outside on the lawn?

Yes. Manga from the Wall of Manga bookshelves are readily available for visitors to take to read anywhere within the museum grounds (However please refrain from reading in the toilets and event halls).
After you have finished reading please return the book to its original location.

Can the manga be borrowed?

No. Manga cannot be taken outside the museum grounds.

Are there magazines which can be read?

The magazines are all closed-stack collections items. Magazines from the collection can be accessed via the Research Reference Room during its regular opening days (Tues, Sun). Registration and advance reservation is required.
Patrons who wish to use closed-stack materials should visit the Research Reference Room for further details.

I want to read a manga called “______”, do you have it?

Please ask a staff member and they will search for you.
You can search the museum's collection, including books shelved on the Wall of Manga, by clicking on the collection materials search button.
Be aware that this includes closed-stack materials, and that manga titles and artists' names have generally been input in Japanese.
For the location of manga shelved on the open-stack bookcases please ask a member of staff.

About the Research Reference Room

I want to use the Reference Room.

I want to use the Reference Room. Registration is required the first time you use the room. Additionally, all materials are accessed through a reservation system. Please reserve items in advance by using the contact form, and advise us of the name of the materials you wish to use.
Patrons who wish to use the Reference Room should visit the for further details.

It is possible to draw a portrait from photographs. Please bring them with you to the museum.
An additional 1,000 yen per person will apply on top of the regular price.
Please bring 2 or 3 photos which show the person's face clearly.

How can I apply for a group workshop?

The museum caters for Group Workshops. However, Group Workshops are for groups of 5 people or more and require reservations. For details please refer to the Group Workshops.
Please contact the museum by phone or email.
A booking will be made after confirmation of your details.

About parking and public transport access

Is there a car parking lot?

No. There is no parking lot for cars. Please use public transport such as the subway. There are three designated accessible parking spaces available. Please contact the museum in advance.

Is there parking for bicycles?

Yes. There is a parking lot on the north side of the building that holds approximately 80 bicycles.

Is there parking for motorcycles?

Please use the bicycle parking lot.
Depending on the available space, it may be difficult to park large bikes.

Is there parking for tourist buses?

No. There is nowhere on museum grounds that tourist buses can be parked.

Where is the nearest train station? How do I get to the museum from there?

The nearest station is the Karasuma Oike subway station.
The museum is a 2 minute walk from exit number 2. There is a guidance map near exit number 2 for your reference.